Florida State wins record 18th consecutive game, 37-12

Florida State has two weeks before its next game, but the reigning national champions have no intentions of celebrating the school history they achieved Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles' (2-0) 37-12 rout of The Citadel (0-2) in their home opener was the 18th consecutive win for the program and is the longest winning streak in school history.

"Very good win," head coach Jimbo Fisher said after the game. "I thought Citadel did a very nice job in the game. We knew they had some difficult stuff to play against, their (triple option) offense."

Florida State's 18-straight victories tops the program's 17-game win streak that began on Aug. 28, 1999 with the Seminoles' wire-to-wire national championship team and ended on Oct. 7, 2000.

"That's cute. That's cool," said star defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who finished with eight tackles in the Seminoles' 25-point win in their home opener. "But we've just got to keep going for more wins. Records are cool, but in the whole scheme of things it doesn't really matter."

Fifth-year senior offensive lineman Cameron Erving added: "It's a great accomplishment for the school, but it doesn't mean anything at this point if you don't go out and continue to play hard and just put the same effort that you put in to winning these games before."

Playing against The Citadel's run-heavy triple option attack, Florida State's offense was not only balanced Saturday night on Bobby Bowden Field in front of a home crowd of 81,294, but it was extremely productive early against its inferior opponent.

The Seminoles scored a touchdown on all four of their drives in the first half of the game as they took a 28-0 lead to the locker room.

"I am very proud of the way we competed," The Citadel head coach Mike Houston said. "I'm a little disappointed in some of the stuff early on, but Florida State had a lot to do with that. I am very proud of the way our kids competed."

After throwing a pair of rare interceptions and scoring no touchdowns in the first half of Florida State's season opener against Oklahoma State, quarterback Jameis Winston was 16 of 17 for 150 yards and a pair of scores in the first half against The Citadel.

"I came out with a different mentality," Winston said, "because I didn't have to prove anything to anyone, but I wanted to give my team more of me. You know what I'm saying? I had those early turnovers in the red zone (against Oklahoma State), and I just felt like I had to come back and do a great job this game."

Being replaced by backup quarterback Sean Maguire with less than two minutes left in the third quarter, the reigning Heisman Trophy-winner finished the night 22 of 27 for 256 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Florida State finished the game with 284 total passing yards, while compiling 210 yards on the ground. The Seminoles were a perfect 7 of 7 on red zone attempts and finished 4 of 8 on third down.

"We were extremely efficient on offense," Fisher said. "... We only had it eight possessions on the day and scored on seven of them."

Unlike FSU's season opener, where senior Rashad Greene was targeted on 20 of Winston's 40 passes, the team's star receiver was targeted on just five passes – and caught four – on Saturday night.

Five different FSU wideouts had a reception in the game, including the team's trio of freshmen.

"That's the reason people like coming to Florida State, because it's not a one-man show," Winston said. "Everyone's going to get that rock."

After being suspended for FSU's season opener, wide receiver Jesus "Bobo" Wilson wasted no time getting involved. The sophomore caught a 12-yard pass from Winston to put FSU ahead 14-0 with 3:43 left in the first quarter.

"Bobo's got some talent," Fisher said. "He can get vertical, run the ball. He's quick with his hands."

Tight end Nick O'Leary had a team-high five receptions in the game for 51 yards and a touchdown.

O'Leary came up with a 1-yard TD grab 29 seconds before FSU headed to the locker room with the 28-point advantage. The senior's 18-yard reception was also the longest of the Seminoles' 13-play, 89-yard scoring drive. Playing in the first game of his FSU career, true freshman wideout, and former five-star recruit, Ermon Lane also had a 14-yard catch on the drive.

"That's one thing about our offense," Winston said. "We want to show the country that we can spread the ball around."

Also playing in the first game of his FSU career, true freshman tailback, Dalvin Cook, who is another former five-star recruit, scored the team's first touchdown of the second quarter.

Cook went five yards to put FSU ahead 21-0 with 7:28 remaining in the second quarter. On his first career carry, he started the 11-play, 63-yard scoring drive with 17-yard run.

"For his first time out there, you can see the talent and the ability," Fisher said. "Guy's going to be a heck of a football player."

After Karlos Williams received 23 of FSU's 30 carries against Oklahoma State, four different running backs ran the ball in the team's win over The Citadel. Williams, Cook, sophomore Mario Pender and true freshman Johnathan Vickers combined to average 5.96 yards on 30 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seminoles' depth was also on display for much of the game as three of the team's top defensive tackles suffered lower leg injuries in the first half and did not return to action.

Starter Eddie Goldman and backup Justin Shanks each suffered their injuries in the first quarter, while starter Nile Lawrence-Stample's injury occurred during the second quarter.

"I feel like a lot of guys stepped up," said junior defensive tackle Derrick Mitchell Jr., who finished the game with four tackles. "Myself, (senior defensive end) Desmond Hollin, (true freshman defensive tackle) Derrick Nnadi got in there early. We did some good things. (True freshman) Demarcus Christmas also, and (junior defensive tackle) Giorgio Newberry. I feel like we all stepped up and we didn't miss a lot."

Even though Goldman and Lawrence-Stample played almost every snap during FSU's season opener, players say there was not a huge drop off when some of the Seminoles' less experienced interior linemen took the field.

"I really didn't feel a difference when they came in," Ramsey said. "They just stepped in, they did their job. They did their roles. I didn't feel like we stepped down at all. They came in and they really impressed me."

After forcing at least one turnover in 20 straight games, that streak came to an end Saturday night for the Seminoles against The Citadel, which was just 5 of 14 for 72-yards and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Despite getting off to a slow start, and suffering multiple injuries, FSU held The Citadel scoreless for three quarters before giving up the pair of late scores with mostly inexperienced players on the field.

"We still have to learn to finish stronger, no matter who is in the game," Ramsey said. "Sometimes we didn't do our jobs, but the most important thing is that we got the win in front of our home crowd."

Junior linebacker Reggie Northrup led FSU's defense with 10 tackles.

After scoring touchdowns on all four of their drives in the opening half, the Seminoles settled for three field goals and a punt in the second half.

All-American kicker Roberto Aguayo made field goals from 27 and 22 yards out during the third quarter. The sophomore nailed a 24-yard field goal in the final five minutes of the game for the team's final score.

As FSU looks to extend its new school-record winning streak to 19 games, the Seminoles have a bye week before hosting Clemson on September 20.

"I wouldn't call it an off week," Ramsey said. "We're going to work hard, grind and get ready for Clemson in two weeks."